News

Hundreds of CWAers in New Jersey Take Action in the Final Weeks of the Year for Legislative Protections for Workers


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With a legislative calendar that spans the entire year, the work to pass pro-worker legislation in New Jersey never rests - but neither do CWAers.

Yesterday, following a legislative training in which they learned more about the governmental and law-making process, more than 20 CWA members from locals throughout the state visited the State House in Trenton to speak with legislators about several priority bills we’re fighting to pass.

Our priority issues for the Lobby Day included:

  • Putting an end to runaway healthcare costs
  • Protecting NJCU workers during the merger with Kean University
  • Strengthening Paid Family Leave
  • Protecting our collective bargaining rights

In addition to lobbying and sharing personal stories directly with elected officials, over 400 CWA members have flooded the inbox of NJ State Assemblymembers and Senators to advocate for protections to New Jersey City University workers, while CWA Local 1031 President Kathy Hernandez has testified before multiple legislative committees and published an op-ed for the Jersey City Times.

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As part of the process to merge NJCU with Kean University, legislation is moving in the NJ State legislature (A.6212/S.4881​) that would give Kean University authority over all “functions, powers, duties, and rights” of NJCU, threatening job security protections for NJCU employees and stepping on Civil Service Rights. The draft legislation treats NJCU employees as "new" employees upon transfer to Kean, and requires all NJCU employees to serve in a "working test period" and eliminates the seniority they’ve earned. ​

This legislation not only puts our seniority on the chopping block, it effectively puts us in probationary status and makes us at risk for layoffs. CWA has been fighting for amendments to the bill that would merge seniority lists to ensure that neither workers at NJCU nor at Kean lose the seniority that they’ve earned, require effects bargaining to ensure a fair and smooth transition, and a one year moratorium on layoffs following the merge.

Over the past several weeks CWAers have made dozens of calls to lawmakers and sent thousands of emails to advocate for these amendments!

You can help - click here to send emails to NJ lawmakers telling them to protect NJCU workers’ collective bargaining rights and seniority.